We often prioritize diet and exercise, while inadvertently neglecting the very essence that sustains our existence with every breath.
Having dedicated my research to air pollution since 9th grade, it has become evident to me that people often overlook the hidden dangers it poses. It is alarming that despite being among the top 3 polluters globally, the unseen harm caused by air pollution goes unnoticed by many.
Living on the vibrant East Coast, I had the fortune, or perhaps misfortune, of experiencing a rare incident firsthand. A Canadian wildfire unleashed its fury, casting a smoky veil across the skies. It served as a vivid reminder of the far-reaching impact of air pollution.
Through this initiative, I aim to help schools take charge of improving their own air quality. I believe that every school can better its air quality and the first step is identifying the causes of air pollution - which can be surprisingly different for every school depending on where they are.
I've gathered lessons learned from my initial implementations, culminating in a comprehensive plan encompassing the necessary equipment, resources, and guidelines for implementing successful air monitoring programs.
We aim to enlist between 1,000 and 2,000 educational institutions encompassing a diverse spectrum of school categories, dimensions, geographical placements, and architectural designs. Such a broad participant base will yield a comprehensive dataset, enabling our project researchers to conduct a thorough analysis of air quality conditions within schools across the United States. The ultimate objective of our initiative is to gain insights into and enhance the air quality in schools nationwide over the long haul.
